Right to Information

Right to Information Act or RTI is a central legislation, which enables the citizens of India to procure information from a public authority. It provides the mechanism for obtaining information. It came into force on 12th October 2005 by an act of Parliament.

RTI Act is a progressive legislation based on the citizen's right to know (which is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution of India). The purpose of the act is to make the executive accountable and ensure transparency in the implementation of schemes and policies. Under the act, information may be sought from a public authority as defined under the act.

The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir and it includes the right to:

Inspect works, documents, records.

Take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records.

Take certified samples of material.

Obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printout

Information provided under the Act is available to citizens of India only. Applications should be submitted along with documentary proof of Indian Citizenship (like copy of personal particulars pages of passport).

Applications seeking information under the Act may be sent along with the prescribed fee in US Dollars or Pakistani Rupees, equivalent to Indian Rs.10/- in cheque or demand draft favoring High Commission of India, Islamabad.

It may also be pointed out that as per section 6(1) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005, a person who desires to obtain information under the Act is required to submit the application to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned public authority. Applicants are, therefore, advised to send their requests under the RTI Act to the High Commission only when the subject matter can reasonably be presumed to pertain to the High Commission. While section 6(3) provides for the transfer of an application by a receiving PIO to another [concerned] PIO, this is clearly meant to cover situations where the application is addressed to a PIO on the assumption that it has been directed to the concerned PIO. Where the information required obviously does not pertain to the High Commission, the application may be addressed to the concerned PIO directly.

HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA

ISLAMABAD

Information to be published under Section 4(1)(a) & 4(1)(b) of Right to Information Act, 2005

4(1)(a)

All records of the Mission are duly catalogued and indexed in a manner and form which facilitates the Right to Information under the RTI Act. The records are computerized to the extent permitted by security and other considerations in Pakistan. The High Commission of India's website is also linked with Ministry of External Affairs' website electronically.

4(b)(i)

Functions and duties

The High Commission of India is the diplomatic and consular representation of India in Pakistan and as such represents the interests of India as directed by Government of India from time to time. It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of External Affairs

4(b)(ii)

Powers and duties of the officers and employees

General Administrative powers are derived from the Indian Foreign Service (Pay, Leave & Compensatory Allowances) Rules, as amended from time to time.
Financial powers of the officers are detailed in the Delegates Financial Powers of Government of India's Representatives Abroad.

Other powers are derived from the Passport Act of India and instructions issued by the Government of India from time to time.

The officers of the High Commission function under the guidance and supervision of the High Commissioner.

4(b)(iii)
&
4(b)(iv)

Procedure followed in the discharge of services, including decision making, channels of supervision and accountability &
Norms set for the discharge of its functions

The High Commission of India functions in accordance with the rules and regulations framed by Government of India from time to time.

4(b)(v)

Rules, regulations, instructions. Manuals and records held by it or under its control or used by its employees for discharging its functions.

Indian Foreign Service (Pay, Leave & Compensatory Allowances) Rules, Delegated Financial Powers of Government of India's Representatives Abroad, Passport Manual, Consular Manual, Visa Manual, Manual of Officer Procedure and other Central Government Rules and manuals as required for Administrative work.

4(b)(vi)

Statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control

The High Commission of India holds both classified and unclassified documents.

4(b)(vii)
&
4(b)(viii)

Particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation with, or representation by, the members of the public in relation to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof & Statement of the boards, councils, committees and other bodies constituted as its part or for the purpose of its advice, and as to whether meetings of those boards, councils, committees and other bodies are open to the public, or the minutes of such meetings are accessible for public

Monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the system of compensation as provided in its regulations

Pay grades of officials are fixed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conforming to the Gazette Notification of Ministry of Finance no. 304 dated 29th August 2008, details of which are available on the following page of Ministry of External Affairs website http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=8088; plus admissible allowances, as fixed by MEA from time to time.

4(b)(xv)

Particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining further information

The sub-clause is not applicable in the particular condition of Pakistan as Indian citizens are not living in this country. However, the Mission has a library/reading room, which is used by the Mission members and their families

4(b)(xvi)

Names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers

The Public Information Officer of the Mission is Shri. Avinash Kumar Singh, Second Secretary (Political, Press & Information). The Deputy High Commissioner of India, Shri J. P. Singh is the Appellate Authority of the Mission.

4(b)(xvii)

Such other information as may be prescribed and thereafter update these publications every year

The High Commission web site has information which is updated on a regular basis.